Southampton welcome newly-crowned FA Cup champions, Liverpool to St Mary’s Stadium in a rearranged Premier League match.
Victory would see Southampton stay 15th in the table, whereas Liverpool must claim at least one point to keep their title hopes alive otherwise Manchester City are champions.
Team News
Fraser Forster and Stuart Armstrong are considered doubts for Southampton as the pair struggle to shake off knocks, with Forster mainly struggling with a back injury whilst Armstrong looks to shake off a knee injury although the pair also have joint issues.
Valentino Livramento remains absent with a serious knee injury.
Liverpool expect Andrew Robertson to be available after he was substituted with cramp in their FA Cup victory over Chelsea.
Mohamed Salah (groin) and Virgil Van Dijk (knee) are doubtful and won’t be risked unless necessary, but Fabinho (hamstring) remains absent.
Stat Attack
- Southampton have claimed just four points from their last 10 meetings against Liverpool (W1, D1, L8).
- Liverpool have dropped seven points in their last six league visits to Southampton (W3, D1, L2).
- Thiago has scored in each of his last two appearances for Liverpool against Southampton (W2), albeit with both goals scored at home at Anfield rather than away at St Mary’s Stadium.
- Mohamed Salah has been involved in more league goals this season than any other Liverpool player, having produced 22 goals and 13 assists in 34 league appearances.
- No Southampton player this season has attempted more passes in the Premier League than James Ward-Prowse, who played 2037 passes and completed 1591 of those passes.
Prediction
Having had a week-and-a-half off since their defeat at Brentford, Southampton now need to avoid repeating their defensive errors which saw them simply outclassed by the Bees’ attack whilst their own attack lacked quality which is needed here given how Liverpool play a high defensive line.
As for Liverpool, they are coming into this match on a high after winning the FA Cup for the first time in 16 years but fitness will be a huge question after having to physically scrap against Chelsea on Saturday for 120 minutes amidst wasted chances throughout through poor finishing accuracy.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds though know that only victory plus a few goals without conceding will realistically do to keep their title hopes alive given Man City’s superior goal difference, so the pressure definitely will be on them regardless of what team is fielded by Klopp.
I though can’t see Liverpool not winning this because Southampton have nothing to play for now safety is assured, so I don’t see the Saints offering much if their mentality is still on holiday like it seemed at Brentford.
Prediction: Southampton 0-2 Liverpool
Result: Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
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